Posts

World Sports Betting Cape Cobras coach Ashwell Prince knows that his team needs to get momentum, improve their catching and transform their execution with the ball in the last ten overs if they are to be victorious in the next couple of matches in the Momentum One Day Cup against the bizhub Highveld Lions and the Hollywoodbets Dolphins on Thursday and Saturday respectively.

“Our death bowling let us down and was disappointing in the match against the Titans. It happened after a catch was dropped off Aiden Markram’s blade and he went on to score another 64 runs off 23 balls,” said Prince.

“If they had accumulated 280 or 290 (instead of 320 for six), we would have improved our chances of winning.

“I want to add that we can improve our batting by another 20 percent as well,” added Prince.

JP Duminy, the skipper, said the execution of the Cobras with the ball in the final 15 overs was not on par.

“You have to give credit to the Titans’ pair of Markram and Farhaan Behardien for how they absorbed the pressure when they were on 31 for five, but we did not execute well after the 35th over.

“We also have not been sharing in 100-run partnerships or scoring enough tons in the first half of the competition,” said Duminy.

Kyle Verreynne has recovered from concussion and will serve as wicketkeeper in the matches against the Lions on Thursday at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium and against the Dolphins in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday.

Dane Piedt, Pieter Malan and Mthiwekhaya Nabe are all included in the squad, whilst Hashim Amla is not available for family reasons.

Half-centuries by Pieter Malan and Simon Khomari put the World Sports Betting Cobras in a commanding position at the halfway stage of their 4-Day Domestic Series encounter against the Multiply Titans in Oudtshoorn on Tuesday.

The pair shared an opening stand of 135 as the hosts replied to the visitors’ 275 by going to stumps on 299 for five.

Malan, one of the most consistent batsmen in South African first-class cricket over the past two seasons, made 95 (181 balls, 12 fours) and was still unbeaten – although he had to retire hurt due to severe cramp at the Recreation Ground.

Khomari, meanwhile, recorded a career-best 77 (90 balls, 14 fours), beating his previous highest score of 70 against the Warriors at Paarl in 2015/16.

Late wickets did jolt the log-leaders, although they still had five wickets in the bag heading into day three.

Earlier there was heartbreak for Leus du Plooy as he fell three short of a century when he was the last man standing for the Titans unbeaten on 97 (257 balls, 12 fours, 1 six).

Just three runs were added to the away side’s 272 for nine with Alfred Mothoa (1) dismissed by Dane Piedt, who completed an excellent return of six for 75 in 41.2 overs.

The Malan-Khomari stand then provided an excellent backbone for the reply, although it ended when Shaun von Berg (1/101) accounted for the latter.

Zubayr Hamza (28) managed to add 71 for the second wicket, before he was removed by Du Plooy (1/48), before David Bedingham (41) and Kyle Verreynne (17) took the score to 265 for two thanks to another half-century partnership that yielded 59.

The home side lost their way somewhat from there thanks to a double strike by Matthew Arnold (2/42) and one from Mothoa (1/34), but with five wickets still standing, the Cobras held the advantage through a 24-run lead.

Cricket South Africa today announced the appointment of Dean Elgar as stand-in captain of the Standard Bank Proteas in place of Faf du Plessis for the final Castle Lager Test match against Pakistan, starting at the Bidvest Wanderers Stadium on Friday.

The selectors have also put uncapped World Sports Betting Cape Cobras opening batsman Pieter Malan on standby for Aiden Markram, who has a right thigh injury sustained while fielding in the previous Test match at PPC Newlands.

Markram will undergo a fitness test tomorrow to determine whether he can play.

“The appointment of Elgar as stand-in captain is part of our strategy to develop our pool of leaders,” commented CSA National Selection Panel (NSP) convener Linda Zondi. “We have previously used Aiden Markram and Quinton de Kock in this role in ODI matches and Dean has previously captained the Proteas at Test match level against England at Lord’s in 2017.

“Pieter Malan has an outstanding track record in four-day domestic cricket over the past two seasons, having made more than 1700 runs including 7 centuries. He has also made the step up to South Africa A level, first against Australia and then against India A on the sub-continent,” concluded Mr. Zondi.

Pieter Malan has struck 625 runs in the 4 Day Franchise series at an average of 56.81. He is the leading domestic run-scorer in the series, while Janneman, who has assembled 562 runs at an average of 51.09, is the third most prolific scorer in the competition.

Pieter Malan is fourth on the list of national averages and Janneman ninth. The two openers of the World Sports Betting Cape Cobras, average an opening stand of 50.72 in eleven innings this season in the 4 Day Franchise series.

They have produced a stand of more than hundred runs for the first wicket on three occasions and have once assembled a half-century partnership.

Their belligerence explains why the World Sports Betting Cape Cobras have secured 22.12 batting bonus points, second most behind the bizhub Highveld Lions (22.72) during the first six matches.

Dane Piedt, skipper of the World Sports Betting Cape Cobras, says the Malan brothers’ ability to assess the situation makes them such valuable partners. “They take time to set up their stall,” he says.

“They are from the same bloodline and have good communication,” he adds.

“They are also very different and complement each other. Pieter is solid and has been the core of our team by scoring big hundreds and bashing the door down to be selected for South Africa.

“Janneman puts pressure on the bowlers and plays an aggressive brand of cricket,” he adds.

“Pieter makes it hard on any opposition captain and he forces the bowlers to bowl in second, third and fourth spells,” he adds.

“We have different styles and approaches,” Pieter Malan says. “I try and bat time, Janneman is more attacking”.

“There is good chemistry between us. We have grown up together.

“I try and work hard and prepare as excellently as possible in the week leading up to the match.

“The two of us communicate well in the middle and speak about plans against the bowlers. But I don’t correct him if he plays an attacking brand. He knows the game well,” Pieter Malan said.

“At the end of the day, opening partnerships in any form of the game settles the whole dressing room down. We have had it more often than not this season with the Malan brothers,” said coach Ashwell Prince.

“In the previous match against the Warriors, they added in excess of 120 in both innings.

“The reason for this is that they are hungry, motivated and good batsmen in search of higher honours,” Prince said.

A 28th first-class century by Pieter Malan paved the way for the World Sports Betting Cape Cobras to take control of their Domestic 4-Day Series clash with the VKB Knights at the halfway stage in Cape Town on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old, who also went past 9 000 runs in red-ball cricket, was unbeaten on 118 (282 balls, 16 fours) at stumps with his side on 302 for six – a lead of 23.

Malan had begun the day unbeaten on six and with his brother and debutant, Janneman, batting at the other end on the same score. The pair put on 59 for the first wicket, before the new Cobras man fell for 38.

Zubayr Hamza was next to go for 20, followed by another player winning his maiden cap, David Bedingham, for 26 to pick of the bowlers Ryan McLaren, who finished the day with three for 47.

Aviwe Mgijama (40) then helped Malan put on 59 for the fourth wicket to hand control firmly to the home side. The fall of his wicket left the Cobras on 185 for four and brought rising young wicketkeeper Kyle Verreynne to the middle. He made just 27, but added another priceless 72 to the score beside Malan – a man who scored an impressive 892 runs in the last campaign.

McLaren then struck two more double blows by accounting for Verreynne and Dane Piedt (4), although Rory Kleinveldt (20 not out) dug in at the close with the home side in charge.

Get as close to the ball as possible and play it at the last moment – this has been the successful credo employed by the latest South African centurion – and it is a game plan that World Sports Betting Cape Cobras opening batsman Pieter Malan wants to borrow from Theunis de Bruyn when he represents South Africa ‘A’ in India in July and August.

Malan is one of two top-order batsmen from the World Sports Betting Cape Cobras who will represent South Africa ‘A’ against the India ‘A’ team in India. The other batting representative is Zubayr Hamza, while spinner Dane Piedt and fast bowler Mthiwekhaya Nabe complete the group of representatives from Cape Town heading over to India on Tuesday as part of the four-day squad.

Malan said he has taken some learnings about spinning conditions by watching the centurion De Bruyn score 101 in the second Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. It was De Bruyn’s first test ton.

“I don’t have a definite game plan whether to play on the front foot or back foot, but I know I must be clear in my decision making whether to go forward or backwards and commit myself with definite movement,” said Malan.

Although the conditions are tough and he has not played in India, he has played against spinners of international class which has helped him. The past season he represented the Cape side against Shaun von Berg and Tabraiz Shamsi – both of whom were in the Proteas touring test squad to Sri Lanka.

Hamza is looking forward to the tour but expects tough conditions: “It was beneficial to me that I went on the bowling and batting camp in India recently. I expect the conditions to be tough and I’ve decided that I want to get as close to the ball as possible when delivered by the Indian spinners. Or if I want to get out of the way, I need to be as far as possible from the ball.”

Malan and Hamza were part of the South Africa ‘A’ team that played against an Australian touring team last season and both have been heavy scorers for the World Sports Betting Cape Cobras.

Malan struck 892 runs at an average of 55.75, while Hamza hammered 828 runs at an average of 69 in the Sunfoil Series.

Malan also compiled 615 runs in the Momentum One Day Cup competition last season.

Ashwell Prince, the head coach of the World Sports Betting Cape Cobras, said he spoke to all the players on Monday and motivated them to adjust their game plans to the subcontinent as they will play half of their cricket against Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and India if they represent South Africa one day.

“We should not wish those conditions away, but formulate a game plan that makes us successful in foreign conditions,” he said.

“It is about learning as much as you can and adding to your skills set of playing spin to the rest of your game,” Prince said.

He said India has become the nation that has improved the most in foreign conditions while other nations, including South Africa, have gone backwards in foreign conditions recently.

Pieter Malan led a superb batting performance by the WSB Cape Cobras as they gave themselves a chance of victory after three days of their Sunfoil Series clash against the Warriors at PPC Newlands in Cape Town on Wednesday.

The right-hander recorded his 25th career century and fell just shy of a double ton after amassing 195 (277 balls, 26 fours, 2 sixes) to help bolster the hosts to 530 for eight declared – a lead of 183.

Dane Piedt (1/9) then claimed the wicket of Gionne Koopman (7) in the six overs that were bowled before the close, to leave the Warriors on 12 for one – still 171 behind with a day to play.

Considering most of the first day was lost due to wet weather, it was a fine display from the home side and gave them every chance of forcing victory, with Malan not the only man to shine.

Aviwe Mgijima, Justin Ontong and Piedt all hit half-centuries, with the skipper plundering an unbeaten 52 from only 38 balls (2 fours, 4 sixes) to help take the game swiftly forward.

adminhttps://capecobras.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/World-Sports-Betting-Cape-Cobras-horizontal-2017.pngadmin2017-10-18 18:09:422019-01-28 14:51:54Big Malan century as Cobras target victory on Day 4

Pieter Malan and Zubayr Hamza both recorded franchise-best scores as the WSB Cape Cobras battled back on day three of their Sunfoil Series clash against the Warriors at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

The pair shared in a superb 214-run second wicket stand to help the visitors reach 387 for eight declared, before reducing the host to 71 for two at the close, a lead of 136.

Day three was mainly about the performances of Malan and Hamza, with the former going on to make 124 (237 balls, 15 fours). It was a 24th time in first-class cricket the opener had recorded a three-figure score, but only the second time in the franchise competition.

For Hamza, his 111 (182 balls, 17 fours, 1 six) was a maiden century at this level surpassing his previous best score of 68 and his sixth ton overall.

After they departed, veteran Justin Ontong made 59 (71 balls, 9 fours), but there was not too much else from the Cobras batsmen.

Standard Bank Proteas spinner Tabraiz Shamsi managed one for 137 in 35 overs on debut for the Warriors, whose captain Jon-Jon Smuts picked up four for 38.

But his side then slipped to 23 for two thanks to a Dane Paterson (2/8) double strike, before Lesiba Ngoepe (23) and Yaseen Vallie (22) took them to the close in a solid position.

A maiden franchise century by Jerry Nqolo helped the Warriors build a strong first innings total but the WSB Cape Cobras fought back late on day two of their Sunfoil Series clash at St George’s Park in Port Elizabeth on Friday.

The all-rounder made an unbeaten 105 (172balls, 11 fours, 1 six) as the hosts declared on 452 for six, before the visitors replied with 161 for one – trailing by 291.

Nqolo, whose previous best score at this level was 64, shared in a Warriors record 185-run sixth wicket partnership with Clyde Fortuin, who was eventually the last man out for 92 (146 balls, 14 fours, 1 six), his own career-bestshowing with the bat.

It was a good effort from the home side after they had begun the day on 263 for four. Captain Jon-Jon Smuts made 49, with the pick of the bowlers being his opposite number Dane Piedt with three for 86.

But the visitors replied strongly after the early loss of Andrew Puttick (18) to Sisanda Magala (1/34).

Zubayr Hamza was not out on 75 (105 balls, 12 fours, 1 six) with Pieter Malan on 63 (126 balls, 6 fours) keeping him company as the pair shared an unbroken stand of 124 to take their side to the close in a decent position.

A technical adjustment in the off-season aided Andrew Puttick as the World Sports Betting (WSB) Cape Cobras opener struck a superb century in the two-day warm-up game against the Warriors in Oudtshoorn.

The WSB Cape Cobras skipper, Dane Piedt, led the way as they routed the visitors for 221 in their first innings. The experienced slow bowler nipped out 4-24 in ten overs of attacking off-spin, using a fourth-stump off-side line and letting it rip.

In response, Puttick hammered 100 off 170 balls with 12 fours and a six and shared in a 170-run opening partnership with Pieter Malan, who belted 72 off 149 balls. They set up a superb 354 for seven in the first innings.

The Warriors managed 96 for two in the second innings and the valuable warm-up match ended in a stalemate.

“In the off-season, Ashwell and I worked on my set-up and my alignment, and it worked as it transitioned into my batting very positively,” said Puttick.

“What I also liked, was that it was my first outdoor action since the winter.”

Prince said Puttick scored all around the ground, handled the short balls with aplomb and got himself into strong positions. “He moved forward beautifully and it will give him that feel-good factor before the season starts.

“Pieter (Malan) is an absolute machine. He is fit and strong,” Prince added.

Jason Smith also showed his fluency while compiling 55, said the coach.

Piedt was the leading wicket-taker for South Africa A against India A with nine scalps in the off-season.

Prince said Piedt and Dane Paterson bowled with good rhythm, a testimony to the fact that they have seen some outdoor action.

Piedt did not take his four wickets because the Warriors attempted to slog and holed out to the inner ring, explained Prince.

It was the result of attacking bowling, which saw him beat the bat with excellent deliveries. He removed one of the Warriors’ top batsmen, Jon-Jon Smuts on his way to 4-24.

Vernon Philander, who has captured 171 wickets in 46 tests for South Africa, is still not 100% match fit and the WSB Cape Cobras did not select him for the first warm-up games.

He won’t be ready for the second clash starting on Tuesday 12th September at the Recreation Oval in Oudtshoorn either.

The WSB Cape Cobras’ first Sunfoil Series match of the season commences on 19th September at the Mangaung Oval in Bloemfontein against the VKB Knights.

South Africa will clash with the Bangladesh Tigers in a two-match test-series starting on 28th September.

adminhttps://capecobras.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/World-Sports-Betting-Cape-Cobras-horizontal-2017.pngadmin2017-09-10 18:04:212019-01-28 14:51:55Puttick century in warm-up clash against Warriors